Air Taxi / Quick Stop

28 Apr, 2026

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Purpose and Objective

An Air Taxi is used to efficiently move a helicopter around the surface on an airport. A quick stop is used to safely decelerate after an air taxi, or in order to abort an air taxi or takeoff.

Maneuver, Air Taxi

1. In a hover, apply a slight forward pressure on the cyclic. The helicopter will begin to move in the direction of takeoff.

2. As the helicopter starts to move forward, keep the forward cyclic pressure until transverse flow vibrations are felt.

3. Now apply further forward cyclic movement to push through the vibrations, and apply right pedal to maintain heading.

4. At 40 KTS indicated airspeed, apply aft cyclic as to level the helicopter and stop accelerating. Due to the change in nose attitude, the helicopter will begin to climb.

5. Once around 40 feet AGL has been reached, lower the collective enough to stop the climb and maintain the altitude.

6. In the air taxi, cyclic is used to adjust airspeed and collective is used to maintain altitude. We aim for 40 KTS at 40 feet AGL.

Maneuver, Quick Stop

1. Count up to the maneuver: “Quick Stop in 1… 2… 3…”

2. Gently lower the collective, while simultaneously applying slight aft cyclic and right pedal.

3. Once sufficiently slowed down, simultaneously raise collective and apply forward cyclic with left pedal. The vibrations of ETL should come in at this point.

4. Maintain the vibrations and walk the helicopter down to the surface.

5. Apply aft cyclic to terminate the approach into a stable hover.

Common Errors

• Leading with the cyclic when terminating the quick stop.
• Lowering the collective too much in the quick stop.
• Not raising the collective enough after getting the vibrations of ETL, leading to sinking towards the surface.
• Uncoordinated control inputs.
• Not returning to a level attitude after the maneuver is completed.
• Counting down to the maneuver.

Performance Standards

Air Taxi

Private Pilot for Rotorcraft Category Helicopter Rating ACS, Area of Operation IV, Task C

Highlights

• Select a safe airspeed and altitude.
• Maintain desired track.
• Altitude control ±10 feet.

Rapid Deceleration (Quick Stop)

Private Pilot for Rotorcraft Category Helicopter Rating ACS, Area of Operation VI, Task A

Highlights

• Coordinate all controls through the execution of the maneuver.
• Maintain appropriate altitude.
• Heading control ±10°.

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